Palestinians in Gaza have begun Ramadan with a pre-dawn meal, but they face severe challenges. Although Ramadan is a time for family gatherings, many are struggling to find food and clean water. This hardship is exacerbated by the ongoing conflict, which has disrupted daily life drastically.
Before the fighting intensified two years ago, families would enjoy lavish meals during Ramadan. Now, they must coordinate their fasting around aid distribution schedules, relying heavily on food from soup kitchens. The ceasefire agreement supposed to allow over 600 aid trucks daily into Gaza has fallen short, with far fewer actually arriving. Continuous Israeli attacks have further complicated the situation, with reports indicating over 600 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began.
In East Jerusalem, worshippers gathered at Al-Aqsa Mosque for prayers during Ramadan amid rising tensions. Israeli security forces have increased their presence, leading to more than 250 entry bans for Palestinians since January 2026. The atmosphere remains fraught as violence escalates in the West Bank, with settlers frequently attacking Palestinian communities.
Meanwhile, various Arab and Islamic countries began Ramadan this week, including Saudi Arabia and those in the Gulf. Others, like Egypt and Pakistan, will observe starting Thursday, as local authorities confirmed moon sightings. The tradition of confirming the start of Ramadan through visual sightings has persisted, even with modern astronomical techniques available.
During this holy month, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset, breaking their fast with meals known as Iftar. Ramadan is significant as it commemorates the first revelations of the Quran to the Prophet Mohammed over 1,400 years ago.
As Ramadan unfolds, the resilience of those in Gaza and across the region remains evident in their practices and traditions, despite the ongoing challenges they face.
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News, Gaza, Israel-Palestine conflict, Middle East, Palestine
